Rip Tide (Dark Life, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Kat Falls (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2011 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 780L (What's this?)

The sequel to the acclaimed subsea adventure DARK LIFE.

Ty has always known that the ocean is a dangerous place. Every time he swims beyond the borders of his family's subsea farm, he's prepared to face all manner of aquatic predators-sharks, squid, killer whales . . .

What Ty isn't prepared to find in the deep is an entire township chained to a sunken submarine, its inhabitants condemned to an icy underwater grave. It's only the first clue to a mystery that has claimed hundreds of lives and stands to claim two more -- lives very precious to Ty and his Topsider ally, Gemma.

Now in a desperate race against the clock, Ty and Gemma find themselves in conflict with outlaws, Seaguard officers, and the savage, trident-wielding surfs -- plus a menagerie of the most deadly creatures the ocean has to offer.

Kat Falls brings to life the mysteries, marvels, and monsters of the deep in this fast-paced and inventive action-adventure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for DARK LIFE:

"There's no denying the nifty premise, solid characterization, and tense moments that contribute to a cinematic reading experience. Falls's undersea world warrants further exploration." - Publishers Weekly

"Falls creates an interesting reality in her new novel. . . . Based on the young ages of the characters, this book will appeal to middle grade readers, who will enjoy the novel's mystery and suspense. It is a definite must-read for SF fans." - Voice of Youth Advocates

"A Western . . . with plankton instead of cows, harpoons instead of six-shooters and submarines instead of covered wagons . . . and a few plot twists keep the tension high. A thrilling conversion of the classics to one of our newer frontiers." - Kirkus Reviews

“The exotic setting and well-conceived details about undersea living, along with likable characters and a minor surprise at the end, will keep readers turning the pages." - Booklist

About the Author

Kat Falls is the author of Dark Life and its sequel, Rip Tide. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, she holds an MFA in screenwriting from Northwestern University, where she now teaches. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545178436
• ISBN-13: 978-0545178433
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kat Falls lives in Evanston, Illinois with her husband, theater director Robert Falls, their three children and a whole slew of pets. She grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an undergrad and went on to receive an MFA from Northwestern University where she now teaches.

Kat came up with the idea for her debut novel, Dark Life (Scholastic Press, May 2010), during a writing exercise. Knowing that her 11-year-old son loved reading about the ocean, Wild West pioneers and, of course, the X-Men, she combined his interests and created a story premise that kept her up nights plotting and world-building.

Today, Dark Life has deals in eighteen international markets and is in development for film at Disney with the Gotham Group producing. Named an ABC New Voices pick for outstanding debuts of 2010, Dark Life was featured on The Today Show in July 2010 when it was selected by Al Roker for "Al's Book Club for Kids." Dark Life has been nominated for children's book awards in ten states and Kat was given a Juvenile Literary Award by The Friends of American Writers'.

The sequel, Rip Tide, was released by Scholastic Press in August, 2011. Each book has been designated as "A Junior Library Guild Selection."

Currently, Kat is working on a YA scifi-adventure trilogy, Inhuman, acquired by Scholastic Press for publication beginning in September 2013.

Kat's website: http://katfalls.com/

Dark Life's Scholastic Page: http://www.scholastic.com/darklife/

Dark Life Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCjp2JdIz48

Link to The Today Show segment with Al Roker: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38575795#38575795

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Life Sequel November 15, 2011

By Jessie Potts TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I loved reading Dark Life. I thought that the premise was completely unique and different. The author also did such a great job with Ty and the other characters as well as detailing how subsea life works. I was very happy when I saw Rip Tide (no idea that there would be a sequel) and immediately started reading it. It felt like Kat Falls went further with Rip Tide and developed the world even more. Ty's parents are kidnapped, we see more of the Gang with Gemma and her brother. If that weren't enough Falls went a little darker (so be warned those who want this for a young 12 year old) with a chained Township (think floating city) complete with frozen corpses inside. Turns out someone is killing off entire Townships but no one knows why? The only clue to that and Ty's parents kidnapping is on the off shore city called Rip Tide. Rip Tide is dark, dangerous and hosts a surprising amount of evil disguised as games in it.

Throughout the book we learn a little more about Dark Gifts as well as why Gemma is afraid of going deep diving and no longer wants to live with Ty and his family. There are characters who will surprise you when they step up and act like heroes, and there are characters that will disappoint you, when they back down and take the easy way out. While I don't think this is appropriate for younger minded children and teens this is very deep and amazing for those who are 'older' than their age or adults looking for a good dystopian book.

*there is blood, disembowelment, giant sharks and crocodiles that eat people, a parasite for a tongue (yea nasty) corpses, giant squids and other beasties that might give younger readers the heebie jeebies

: - ) enjoy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars lots of adventure and fun, just like Dark Life April 12, 2012

By Tabitha VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This book is the sequel to Dark Life. The polar caps have melted and land is at a premium--there isn't enough to support the world's population. So, a few pioneers have gone to live on the ocean floor.

Ty was the first child born under the ocean, and has lived there his whole life. Gemma grew up on land, and getting to see the differences in their lives has been very intriguing. We see more of this in Rip Tide, as well as further exploration of Dark Gifts. But the bulk of this story is a good ole adventure with bad guys, scary sea creatures, and edge-of-your-seat pacing. I like the combination of a futuristic story and old-fashioned elements. In some ways, it reminds me of the TV series Firefly (except underwater instead of in space).

I can see girls and boys of all ages loving these books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant follow up February 4, 2013

By KVB99

Format:Hardcover

For those that want more of Ty and Gemma, this is an entertaining follow up to Dark Life. I didn't think it had quite the same magic, but it's not bad. The plot moves along smartly and is mostly enjoyable. One exception is Gemma's new found sea paranoia/sickness that didn't quite work for me. Also, the romance is a little too tame, as if it is pitched at gradeschool level readers.